Associations between dairy fat intake, milk-derived free fatty acids, and cardiometabolic risk in Dutch adults

Purpose Milk-derived free fatty acids (FFAs) may act as both biomarkers of intake and metabolic effect. In this study we explored associations between different types of dairy consumption, a selection of milk-derived free fatty acids, and cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk factors. Methods Sixty-seven FFAs were quantified in the plasma of 131 free-living Dutch adults (median 60 years) using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Intakes of different dairy foods and groups were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Twelve different CMD risk factors were analyzed. Multiple linear regressions were used to evaluate the associations under study. Results Based on the fully adjusted models, 5 long-chain unsaturated FFAs (C18:1 t13 + c6 + c7 + u, C18:2 c9t11 + u, C20:1 c11, C20:3 c8c11c14, and C20:4 c5c8c11c14), 2 medium-chain saturated FFAs (C15, C15 iso), and a trans FFA (C16:1 t9) were positively associated with at least one variable of dairy intake, as well as plasma total and LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and SCORE (p <= 0.05). A long-chain PUFA associated with high-fat fermented dairy intake (C18:2 t9t12), was negatively associated with serum triglyceride levels, and a long-chain saturated FFA associated with cheese intake (C18:1 u1) was negatively associated with plasma LDL cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels. No clear associations were observed between dairy intake and CMD risk factors. Conclusion Milk-derived FFAs could act as sensitive biomarkers for dairy intake and metabolism, allowing the association between dairy and CMD risk to be more precisely evaluated.

Automated summary

This study explored the associations between different types of dairy consumption, milk-derived free fatty acids (FFAs), and cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk factors. The results showed that certain FFAs were positively associated with dairy intake and risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, and SCORE. However, no clear associations were observed between dairy intake and CMD risk factors.